Kaylah Walton
David and Victoria Beckham, alongside Stanley Tucci, will be part of a prestigious dinner hosted at King Charles III’s private residence, promoting diplomatic ties between the UK and Italy.
This gathering celebrated the upcoming State Visits of the King and Queen to the Holy See and Italy, featuring notable attendees like fashion designer Donatella Versace.
This dinner also emphasized sustainable food and fashion, embracing principles from the Slow Food and Slow Fashion movements.
Beckham, a former soccer player with teams like Real Madrid and AC Milan, was designated as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation last year, developing a close relationship with the King through their mutual interest in bee-keeping and rural life.
The Beckhams’ Cotswolds estate, conveniently situated 30 minutes away from Highgrove, facilitates Beckham’s important consultations with King Charles and his role as a liaison with global figures.
The evening’s festivities took place in a beautifully adorned marquee set in the estate’s gardens, featuring a delectable spread of canapés, including Yorkshire Pecorino Cheese Puffs and Tuscan-style Pâté. Guests enjoyed the King’s own Highgrove Sparkling Wine alongside a dinner served in the Orchard Room.
World-renowned Chef Francesco Mazzei crafted a meal inspired by Stanley Tucci’s show, The Heart of Italy, showcasing the finest British ingredients infused with Italian culinary traditions.
Mazzei emphasized the importance of local, seasonal produce, resonating with the Slow Food ethos that encourages regional consumption of food resources.
“This is my inaugural experience cooking for the King, and I’m quite thrilled about it,” Mazzei expressed to DailyMail.com.
The menu featured dishes like Scottish Crab Panzanella and Suffolk Red Porchetta, incorporating ingredients sourced from across the UK, including Isle of Wight tomatoes and Kentish cob nuts.
Purpose of the Dinner
The event also highlighted student demonstrations from The King’s Foundation, showcasing traditional crafts such as millinery and embroidery, supporting the foundation’s mission to conserve heritage skills.
More than just a culinary experience, the dinner served as a celebration of sustainability and cultural heritage. It underlined how blending local craftsmanship with sustainable food practices can address environmental issues stemming from fast fashion and fast food industries.
Through these initiatives, the King and his guests underscored the significance of safeguarding cultural legacies and the environment.
